Gifts 13601-13700

13601. Morning rest. 

13602. Prime minister excitement. 

13603. Yummy pasta. 

13604. Jude cuddles. 

13605. Not having to wait long for the bus. 

13606. Early to bed and reading. 

13607. No problems at the muhtar. 

13608. Funda helping me make Menemen. 

13609. Senem being open with me. 

13610. Finding almost new sandals for cheap. 

13611. Time to cry and a long time to pray. 

13612. Senem saying it's good we're here and we have value beyond

            just customers. 

13613. The HS renewing Lisa and myself. 

13614. The bank returning all but 5TL of my money. 

13615. Compliments on my Turkish. 

13616. A new library friend. 

13617. Learning she has read some. 

13618. The Wards reminding me to feast on the Word, not for any 

            purpose than to know and love Him. This is my most important 

            task and privilege. 

13619. Meeting new friends. 

13620. A chance to hear Lisa's heart. 

13621. Wanting rest but sweet Neslihan pursuing me. 

13622. The ability to laugh and tease in Turkish. 

13623. Buket coming over later. 

13624. Grace that we were unprepared when they came. 

13625. Getting to share music and art and sushi and pancakes and GN

            with them. 

13626. Hoping for a break yet pursued once again. 

13627. Realizing Ekin sleeping meant our home felt like a refuge for

            her, we had just prayed for this. 

13628. A sweet time with the F family. 

13629. Green grass. 

13630. A respite. 

13631. Hamburger buns. 

13632. Warm brownies and ice cream. 

13633. Chatting with the niecphews. 

13634. His face lighting up that I'm going on the field trip with him. 

13635. Asking to be pursued and then 8 people pursued me. 

13636. Resting this morning and afternoon. 

13637. Reminded that He hears.

13638. Sunshine and blue skies at the cafe with Evi. 

13639. Time to work on some art. 

13640. An afternoon nap. 

13641. Visiting with old neighbor and AB. 

13642. Working through lots of AMP stuff. 

13643. A clean home. 

13644. Seeing my old pazar friends. 

13645. Fun with Lisa for her birthday. 

13646. Successful ice cream cake. 

13647. Bus coming quickly. 

13648. Good time with Di. 

13649. Mardin plans settled. 

13650. An invite by Şenda. 

13651. Grace that I came too early. 

13652. Loving on Sibel. 

13653. Laughter with this family. 

13654. Feeling like old friends with them. 

13655. Jude and Marin's excitement at coming over. 

13656. Jana's wedding, full of worship and the gospel, good for my

            soul. 

13657. Heath's encouragement and gladness that I am here and

            making a difference. 

13658. So yummy blackberry cobbler. 

13659. Talking to Crystal and family a bit. 

13660. A bus coming right away. 

13661. Uninterrupted time in the Word. 

13662. A short power nap. 

13663. A good talk with Kelly to make sure I'm on the right track. 

13664. Sherry overlooking faults and agreeing to meet up. 

13665. A good time with her. 

13666. Realizing AMP stuff was farther along than I realized. 

13667. An elevator since I live on the 6th floor. 

13668. No caffeine and no headache. 

13669. A short rest. 

13670. Having the courage to talk to the screens people. 

13671. Finding I Love Uşak magnets. 

13672. Talking to my sister and working on art. 

13673. Surviving Mrs. Bennet. 

13674. Sweet time remembering what Jesus has done, his great love. 

13675. Green grass. 

13676.  Colorful tulips blooming. 

13677. A relaxing and just-what-was-needed day for Di. 

13678. Prayer with her. 

13679. Ticket to Ride with Jenni. 

13680. In fasting, finding more in the Giver than in his gifts. 

13681. Good convos with Pelin. 

13682. Gifts bought for almost everyone. 

13683. Finding camel rides at Festiva last night. #mynormalweirdlife

13684. Making it in time for the Servis bus. 

13685. Fireworks again. 

13686. A drive in the greenery with a backsplash of snow-capped 

            mountains. 

13687. Yellow flowers. 

13688. Laughter about what makes a good ATM, toilet, or bus ride 

            here. 

13689. Worshipping with others in English. 

13690. Headache passing. 

13691. Making a friend in Şükran. 

13692. Gorgeous sunset. 

13693. Worshiping with locals. Hearing their views on the death and 

            resurrection. 

13694. Nice Easter meal. 

13695. Egg hunting fun. 

13696. Laughing with Lisa. 

13697. Yummy breakfast and resurrection eggs with them. 

13698. Game time. 

13699. A timely bus. 

13700. A good brotherly hug. 

Gifts 13501-13600

13501. My package coming. 

13502. Walking aimlessly but blue skies, sunshine and Prayer. 

13503. Running into an old pazar friend. 

13504. Strawberry season is upon us. 

13505. An invite from CFS. 

13506. Cute smiles. 

13507. Helpful insurance ladies. 

13508. Chatting with Ismahal. 

13509. Grace at accidentally inviting myself to dinner. 

13510. A chance to love Di. 

13511. Somewhat good news from her. 

13512. Seeing DG for a bit. 

13513. A new dress and shirt. 

13514. Menemen. 

13515. Catching up with Caroline and Laurie, so good for my soul. 

13516. Watching 'Anne' with Jenni. 

13517. A chiller morning. 

13518. Di feeling so much better. 

13519. Fun with Cemile. 

13520. Calling Kader and filling satiated from that. 

13521. Truth shared, also filling. 

13522. So many encouraging words via email. 

13523. Neighbors visiting. 

13524. Sweet Suiter kids. 

13525. Yahtzee with Crystal and McKenzie. 

13526. Reading and blogging time. 

13527. Maddy's faithfulness to pray so long for all of us. 

13528. More reading. 

13529. A neighbor to sit with. 

13530. A friend at the library. 

13531. Sweet Ismahal and her husband. 

13532. Yummy dinner: chili, jalapeño cheddar biscuits, and salad. 

13533. Unexpectedly good conversations with DG. 

13534. Relaxing by painting with her. 

13535. Remembering: Mary L said frustrating Edward who turned

            seeker. 

13536. Remembering: Cyndi L noticed my endurance. 

13537. Remembering: Megan S said that God helped me learn 

            Turkish, find my ikamet, provided this apartment, helped me 

            finish 8 errands in one day, brought Jenni here, helped me

            drink tea and communicate GN. 

13538. Remembering: Angie H said me being here allows others to 

            come, and my updates helps people know about and pr for this 

            part of the world. 

13539. Remembering: Beth P said seeing me take questions about 

            things like singleness and turn it into beautiful opportunity to

            share about my Lover. 

13540. Remembering: Cynthia W noticed His provison, open doors, 

            success in language, safety, many new friends, desire of some 

            to hear truth, new sights and experiences, art opportunities, 

            family & friend visits, challenges and chances to share truth, 

            favor in apartment, visa, insurance, finding ikamet, having a 

            heart for plentiful harvest, healing touches, roommate, having

            the HS inside, guidance and boldness. 

13541. Remembering: Meredith V remembered that I excelled and 

            tested out of language, adapted to a hard culture to live in and 

            made it my home, found awesome secondhand furniture, 

            insurance and favor at the ikamet office, I was rescued from 

            the bats, I've gotten to see some beautiful sites and travel to 

            great places. 

13542. Remembering: Jeremy C remembered his first special airplane

            ride and has flown 100 times since, in overcoming his fear he

            found exhilarating life. His adventures to Oregon. When he 

            first started at The Gathering and how God used friends like 

            me to confirm that call. He remembers God's presence in the 

            life in him today.

13543. Remembering: Mev M said my sharing stuck out to her. It 

            makes her want to do it more there. So my impact is not only 

            here but also there. She said, "Thanks for shining light literally

            around the world."

13544. Remembering: Anita W said that Him helping me learn the 

            language, learn and experience the culture, helped me make

            friends, gave me favor, give me boldness to speak up for him, 

            protecting me and she is learning a lot about CA from me. 

13545. Remembering: Steve C said, "Even though you feel you had 

            many strikeouts this week...Keep swinging! The truth is, most 

            of the all-time leading homerun hitters in major league 

            baseball also are among the all-time leaders in guess what?... 

            Yep! Strike outs! And know that our gang is lifting you up this

            week!" 

13546. Jude crying to come to Cando's house. 

13547. Ezogelin breakfast with Heath and Lisa. 

13548. Really good conversations at the massage place. 

13549. Seyran saying it was so good for her. 

13550. No customers for a while. 

13551. DG bringing us a plant. 

13552. And feeling comfortable enough to nap for a while. 

13553. Reading time due to headache. 

13554. 11 hours of sleep to make up for the 5 hours of sleep. 

13555. Helping to encourage Di, community giving her fuel. 

13556. Corn dogs with Suiters. 

13557. Making it to Migros in time. 

13558. Cay with sweet Ismahal. 

13559. Cosby break with Suiter kids. 

13560. Freeing up H&L to have good conversation. 

13561. Wisdom to recognize my heart to host out of obligation and

            wisdom to stop and pray. 

13562. Good time in the Word instead of hosting. 

13563. Hearing what Jenni is learning. 

13564. Meeting Ismahal's daughter. 

13565. Going pazaring with them. 

13566. Beauty and the Beast in English!!! 

13567. Burger King and a little shopping with Jenni, Lisa, and the 

            kids. 

13568. Nertz with Suiter kids. 

13569. Reminders that we do what we do BECAUSE Jesus has all 

            authority and will be eternally with us. 

13570. Great sushi. 

13571. Ice cream craving yielding a few minutes of sharing. 

13572. Relaxing to the Office. 

13573. Early to bed. 

13574. Painting time. 

13575. Catching up with Meredith. 

13576. Fun shopping for gifts and looking at funny English shirts. 

13577. The shirt with Hebrews 6:19 on it. 

13578. Sitting with Ismahal and Selma. 

13579. Yummy poğacas from Murruvet. 

13580. A fun evening with Buketler. 

13581. A timely email from Lisa F. 

13582. The Chinese dish still at Harrison's. 

13583. Sharing hearts with Pelin. 

13584. Encouragement from Di: even in hopeless situations Abraham 

            believed with hope. 

13585. A good word from the Wards. 

13586. J picking me up som pepsis. 

13587. Pizza with the Suits. 

13588. Silly video antics. 

13589. Celebrating swimming victories with Rain and Sage. 

13590. Time with sweet Ivy. 

13591. Another successful haircut. 

13592. Games and sushi with Türkü. 

13593. Extended time in the Word. 

13594. Silly Selma. 

13595. Catching up with Jeremy and Brooke. 

13596. Another fun evening with Buketler. 

13597. Time with Di. 

13598. Her reading, praying, discerning how to serve. 

13599. Talking to my family. 

13600. UG wanting to meet up.

Gifts 13401-13500

13401. Buket making my heart happy and abating the awkwardness. 

13402. Sushi evening. 

13403. Sage's sweet relief reaction when he realized I was not moving

            back to America. 

13404. Amazing Turkish breakfast. 

13405. Getting to see Shelby again. 

13406. "God is the goodness better than any good we've seen or heard

            or tasted. He is shelter safer than any government, laws or

            armies." -Shane and Shane

13407. "Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be.

            Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And 

            embrace the life you have." -John Piper

13408. Lisa to pray for me and remind me of truth. 

13409. The Holy Spirit doing it in a deeper way. 

13410. Deciding Jesus and the lost are worth the hunger and lack. 

13411. Jenni's bravery. 

13412. Seeing Musa Bey at the volleyball match. 

13413. An invitation to lunch and cake. 

13414. Dinner, the Word and prayer with Di. 

13415. A movie and ice cream with Jenni at her suggestion. 

13416. A sweet, forgiving girl, as our guest. 

13417. New shelves in the kitchen. 

13418. No more guests, a chance to rest. 

13419. Getting to talk with my dad. 

13420. Sunday sleep in. 

13421. Looking at the life of Jesus, how he was reviled and did not 

            speak a word. 

13422. Discussing how to better goals. 

13423. Chicken and dumplings, fried okra, and cornbread. 

13424. Talking to my mom. 

13425. Jude whispering about how when Jesus was on the cross the

            soldier said he was God's son and that he knows this. 

13426. A day to rest and recover from yet another illness. 

13427. A fun note and card sent from Mev. 

13428. Watching a dizi with Jenni. 

13429. Favor and friends at the immigration office. 

13430. Lunch with Jenni. 

13431. Two years of insurance! 

13432. Chatting with Leslie and GL. 

13433. A chance to blog. 

13434. Bus dropping us off by the tuğra. 

13435. The ridiculous humor of having to climb into the insurance 

            shop. 

13436. An evening with Di, reminding each of us of truth. 

13437. Yummy pide. 

13438. Skyping with Zekey and hearing his sweet voice and seeing his 

            eyes light up at the news that I'm coming home. 

13439. Praying with Lisa. 

13440. The Bugnars!

13441. Breathing treatments that help me breathe. 

13442. A semi expected guest and joys of sharing with her. 

13443. Games with friends. 

13444. Easy night with the Bugnar/Suiter 7 kid troop. 

13445. Laughing with the boys. 

13446. Making them squeal and run like girls when threatening them

            with a sloppy wet kiss for disobedience. 

13447. A hug and encouragement. 

13448. Time to think and pray. 

13449. Reminded that God writes my story and he writes the best 

            stories. 

13450. Time to blog which helps me solidify my thoughts. 

13451. Short fellowship allowing time to rest. 

13452. Good long rest healing fever. 

13453. Breathing treatments helping. 

13454. Longing extends the soul, makes room for God. 

13455. Yearning gives way to being filled by God. 

13456. Sharing this with Funda and Yagmur. 

13457. Trying a new lunch place. 

13458. Being treated like a regular at the immigration office. 

13459. Failing to obtain an appointment but they took care of me. 

13460. An invitation to sit and talk afterwards. 

13461. An invitation to swimming. 

13462. Seeing behind the scenes that not everyone is welcome and

            they can pick and choose. Giving me the very thing they don't 

            want to give to everyone. 

13463. Seeing this snippet of how God is writing my story. I was 

            given Favor because he said it would be so. 

13464. Talking to Katie Kyle and how much she feeds my soul. 

13465. Making the server laugh when she saw my excitement and 

            disappointment that the waffle wasn't mine. 

13466. Really good pizza. 

13467. They didn't ask for a bank statement. 

13468. Hearing birds chirping. 

13469. Rest, always a gift in this place. 

13470. A long time in the word. 

13471. Lots of logistics finished. 

13472. A chance to be there for J. 

13473. Sunset on greenery. 

13474. Swimming and scrubbing. 

13475. Sweet single ladies who invite us to join in. 

13476. A bus ride and meditating on Lent. 

13477. Prayer time with Jenni. 

13478. The man warning us of the dog. 

13479. McDonald's!

13480. And donuts. 

13481. Finding 'The Office' dvds at D&R. 

13482. Good time with Evi. 

13483. Making a new friend at Festiva. 

13484. Laughter and painting last night with Jenni. 

13485. Massage making my muscles less sore. 

13486. Fresh chocolate chip cookies from the oven. 

13487. Soaking in the sunshine. 

13488. Crunchy tacos so good for my soul. 

13489. Excitement at red cabbage. 

13490. Sage incredulously exclaiming, "Who wouldn't want to marry

            Cando?!"

13491. A fun movie in English. 

13492. Buses waiting for us. 

13493. Blueberries for me. 

13494. Lovely jazz music in the movie. 

13495. Catching up with Crystal and Caley. 

13496. A new friend. 

13497. Celebrating Rain. 

13498. Prayer waiting: praying while waiting for the bus. 

13499. Laughing at the Mobile leprechaun. 

13500. Early to bed.